Stochasticity in a Eukaryotic Background
The transcriptional and translational processes in eukaryotes are different from those in prokaryotes. The differences in eukaryotic gene expression ultimately result in different sources of stochasticity contributing as dominant sources of noise. The need for eukaryotic genetic information to transition between open and closed chromatin structures makes the turnover time from an induced to a repressed promoter state very slow (Eisen, 2004). Collins et. al. demonstrated that transcriptional efficiency has a larger effect on noise strength than translational efficiency in eukaryotes (Collins et. al., 2003). These data demonstrate that the dominant sources of stochasticity in the gene expression process of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are opposite each other. Transcriptional bursting (the finite number effect) is negligible in prokaryotes but is also the dominant source of stochasticity in eukaryotes. Translational bursting is negligible in eukaryotes but is the dominant sources of stochasticity in prokaryotes.
Other Factors in Eukaryotic Backgrounds (In Addition to Chromatin Remodeling)
- Transcriptional initiation involves TATA box binding protein
- Initiated mRNA forms a stable complex
